Day 4- Last day in Paris
Today Izwah going to leave Paris, and while all of us were sad of that fact (especially Atak), i was actually looking forward for the day to end. No offense Izwah! 
It’s simply because I wanted to arrive in marseille ASAP
After a quick breakfast, we leave for the Notre-Dame..u know the recently well-known cathedral..I said "recently" because before the novel "hunchback of Notre-Dame" was published, the government didn’t pay much attention to this historical and beautiful building. After the WWII, it was leaved untouched, and then turned into a slaughterhouse. I suppose that’s quite an insult for a cathedral. I am no christian, but I dont think a church should ever be turned into a slaughterhouse.
And after the restoration took place (when the novel was published and people start to came to see the Notre Dame), this cathedral can now proudly stand as one of France most beautiful and historical heritage, It is of Gothic style architecture, with all the high peak towers..somehow emphasizing the place of God the Almighty.
Climbing the 387 steps to the top of this masterpiece is well worth the effort for the spectacular view. Construction of the first great Gothic cathedral began in 1163 and was largely completed by 1212. The rebuilding of the two transept gates in 1270 marked its completion. The west face is adorned with three richly decorated doorways and crowned with two 69m towers.
There was a long line of tourist waiting their chance to go inside the cathedral. We decide not to waste any time waiting in line, so we had to satisfiy ourselves with just looking at it from the outside
Walking down from the Notre-Dame we stopped at a nearby stall to buy some souvenirs. All the time, izwah was busy typing sms with her friends,to get the latest update about the tube bombing happened in London late yesterday.
Apparently it happened near where she lived,..she had a strong reason to be worry..
Next, we headed up to Musee du Lovre, one of the well known museum in the world, for two reason: 1.the architecture of the building and 2. the original version of Monalisa by Leonardo da vinci which is kept safely in this museum…again there was a long line outside the museum, and we had to amaze ourselves with only the 1st reason. It didnt disappoint us though…the architecture is worth to be appreciated. Most part of the museum is consist of several Renaissance-style building…later on, a genius french architect had design a Grand entrance to the museum in a shape of Pyramid made entirely by glasses…u know how the french had a thing with architecture..
Originally built to defend Paris against the Vikings, this Renaissance palace became a museum in 1793. Today it houses impressive collections of Etruscan, Egyptian, Oriental, Roman and Greek artefacts as well as sculptures, paintings and other works of art ranging from the Middle Ages up to 1850, including Leonardo da Vinci’s enigmatic ‘Mona Lisa’. Architect I.M. Pei’s amazing glass pyramid, commissioned by the President François Mitterrand, caused a sensation when it was added in 1989.
Near the museum is the Grand Arch (differentiate it with the Arch de Tromphe)..This monument was built in series with the obelisque and the Arch de Tromphe..so if u stand right under the Grand Arch and look carefully towards the end of horizon, u could see both the obelisque and the Arch de Tromphe.It must’ve been hundred kilometres away cause the Arch de Tromphe look like no bigger than our thumb from here.
Then again, Atak streassed upon how important for us to search for a shopping mall, so he could fill up his luggage with souvenirs..That kicked start our shopping hunt..starting from the modern midvalley-style shopping mall, and several hundred boutiques along the street, till the classy "Le Bon Marche".Le Bon Marche is Paris most exclusive shopping centre, for those with high taste and some that would search for a dress so expensive only an idiot would buy. It was designed by the same person who designed both the Eiffel Tower and US Statue of Liberty..forgot his name..u want to know more, go ask my best friend = "Mohd Google"
By 4 pm, Izwah decide to head back to hostel. She need to pack up her things, but Atak still want to go shopping. So we decide to go different way. Atak will head to Hard Rock Cafe, while Izwah and me will head back to our hostel. At 6, we’ll meet at Gare du Nord to say farewell.
When we arived at the hostel, I let Izwah pack up her things while I’m praying. Glancing at my watch, it seems I had another one hour gap before Izwah had to depart for Gare du Nord. Not wanting to waste this precious one hour, I dashed to the nearest tourist attraction from our hostel, the Hotel-de-Ville - yup,all alone by myself.
Do not even imagine to check in into Hotel-de-Ville. It’s actually a town municipal building. Direct translation : "square of the City".No..its not an hotel. It was a large, wide building with great gothic architecture.So wide it stretch about 500 m. In front of it is a beautiful square with several large fountain. Its kinda place for teenagers to meet, and I did catch up with some couple doing french kiss under the tree.
Next to the Hotel-de-Ville, is the BHV (Bazaar Hotel-de-Ville)..yup,like the name told u, its a place to shop. Not really a bazaar.It’s more like a shopping complex with cheap goods.But I never have the time to check the price for real cause my time is limited here.
This place is so packed with cafes…some even have people lining up to be seated..seems the french also like to lepak at their own mapley :P..One thing I aware of, is that most people filling up the seat is male…only one or maybe two women could be seen in a cafe. Well, thats again agree with our malaysians version of hanging out..memang laki jer kan yang selalu lepak kat mapley 
There’s also some great Coiffures here, those listed in the Tourist Guide book.Coiffures refers to hair salon, which
mostly is run by professionals in hair styling field. Its far differ from a barbershop. One haircutcould be charge up to 20 euro,,that’s almost RM100 guys!!
I only had several minutes left before Izwah need to depart back, so i dashed back to our hostel, and around 15 minutes,I’m back at our room, helping Izwah with her luggage. I didnt even have the chance to seat, as we headed
again to the metro station, taking the line no 2 to Gare du Nord…
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blame the London bombing, we stucked out with croud waiting in lines to be checked thoroughly by Paris Police Metropolitain..and while waiting in the line, an officer caught a glimpse of Izwah, and she was given a "special" service she wouldnt even had asked for. The officer told him to cut the line up to the front, and she was brought upstairs, leaving me and Atak stared blankly at him.One of those Londoners even show up the "fuck" sign toward
Izwah..can’t blame the tudung she’s wearing. I was amazed at how a small discontentment over having to queue had brought a barbaric sense back to life in those self-acclaimed gentle Englishmen. I was glad everything just went as fine after that, Izwah boarded the train, and soon the Eurostar leave with an accelerating speed.
I couldn’t even imagine the disappoinment she must have felt for the lack of chance for her to say a proper farewell to her beloved brother.
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Dusk fall dawn, and we headed out from the station. We returned to last nigh restaurant, near the Moulion Rogue.
Treated ourselves with a well-made beef steak, we then stroll along the street of Parisian red light district.
Having had enough experience, we know better how to resist the chouiffer that continuosly inviting us to attend the strip shows. Rather than took a long route explaining that we’re muslims, it much better to cut short saying, "we just went out from your colleagues show over there .. "
a misty rain started pouring down, and glazing the Moulin Rogue for the last time, we descended toward the subway.
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back to hostel, I took my chance sending sms to zambrie via the Internet kiosk online, while Atak patiently try to call Zakwan using the payphone. Once more the friendly companionship of Parisian favored us when the recipient patiently explained us how to use the payphone and make direct call to marseille’s cell phone no.
Back to our room, I packed all my things, ready to leave to Marseille by morning. Setting up the alarm clock, I couldnt keep my anxiety, afraid if something gonna be wrong, and we would miss our TGV train. I had never been so lucky for a long time, and calculating today..I had a straight-4 days of enjoyment..
Before I went to bed that night, I glazed upon the Paris night sky…perhaps for the last time in my life..and then I dozed off…little did I know what await for me the next day..
